jwhitman@STL-06SIMA.ARMY.MIL (Jerry Whitman) (02/01/90)
Although I have never had the (recognized) need to program my Amy in 'C' I have often entertained the idea. However I cannot justify the cost of a good commercial 'C' package such as Manx or Lattice purely to tinker with and learn the rudiments of the language. To wit: Is Lionell Hummels distribution of PDC a good platform for me to use to learn the language and the various gyrations required to get from source code level to executable code. I realize there is a fair amount to learn concerning the required libraries for compiling and linking the code, so I would need an environment that can coach me with reasonably comprehendable documation. Assuming an affirmative answer to this question gives rise to the next (hopefully) logical question. What book(s) are good to use as a novice study guide for learning 'C', and which of those show how to take advantage of my Amys vast array of capabilities. I realize that part 1 and part 2 of that question may present a dicotomy, so if that is the case let me pose another question. What is a good path of progression that will take me from absolute niavity to a reasonably sound under- standing of 'C' and how to create applications that are stable and utilize a reasonable portion of Amys capabilities. Obviously I am not looking to become a whiz, but I would like to be able to develop a few custom (read: for home use) applications in 'C'. If the grade is too steep to be practical I have an out. I could buy a compilable Basic since I am reasonably proficient in that language. All else failing, would any one like to recommend their favorite flavor of basic and tell me why, or conversely, why not use brand-X. Thanks again for your time and attention. Regards, Jerry Whitman (Keeper of FishXref and FishCon)
gomez@enuxha.eas.asu.edu (Jose L. Gomez-Rubio) (02/02/90)
Alot of junior colleges use "C Primer Plus" by The Waite Group published by Howard Sams & Co. I've used it and find it quite good for the novice to learn the C programming language. Actually, it was the text book in a C class I took. -- gomez@enuxha.eas.asu.edu